Tragedy struck the poetry community as Scelo Mpungose, a prominent 31-year-old poet, lost his life in a devastating car crash on the N3 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, 26 November. The accident occurred during rainy weather, and it is suspected that Scelo, en route to work at Liberty Mall, lost control of his Toyota Corolla.
Collaborating frequently with his well-known older brother, Siyabonga Mpungose, and the late Ukhozi FM presenter and poet Bongani Mavuso, Scelo had been entertaining audiences with his poignant verses for 14 years, starting in 2009. Siyabonga revealed that the family rushed to the scene upon hearing of the accident, finding Scelo critically injured and the car irreparably damaged.
Despite paramedics’ efforts at Greys Hospital, Scelo succumbed to his injuries. Siyabonga, mourning the loss, expressed the difficulty of accepting that he couldn’t protect his younger brother, recalling a childhood vow made after their mother’s passing.
The family plans to share funeral details once they are finalized. Scelo Mpungose’s sudden departure leaves a void in the poetry world, where he touched hearts with his words for over a decade. His legacy as a talented and beloved poet will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to experience his artistry.